Little Earth Residents Association

About Little Earth Residents Association

Little Earth Residents Association represents a unique model of Native American self-determination and community resilience in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since its founding in 1973, Little Earth has served as the only Indigenous preference project-based Section 8 rental assistance community in the United States, providing a cultural home for nearly 1,000 residents representing 38 different tribal affiliations. Born from grassroots activism in response to housing discrimination and the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, Little Earth was designed to reconnect urban Native peoples with their cultural and tribal identities while building pathways toward economic stability. The Little Earth Residents Association emerged from this foundation to serve as both a representative voice with HUD and a community center committed to empowering residents through culturally strong, supportive, and unified programming. What sets Little Earth apart is its authentic community governance—the Board of Directors has been 100% Native American since 1983, and the organization is led by residents who understand the lived experiences of the community. The 60 elders within Little Earth serve as cultural mentors, preserving intergenerational knowledge that was threatened by forced assimilation policies. Today, LERA continues the legacy of community organizing around environmental and social justice issues while providing family-centered services that honor traditional Indigenous values. Located in Minneapolis's East Phillips neighborhood, Little Earth demonstrates how community-driven organizations can create lasting systems change and serve as a beacon of self-determination for all Native peoples.

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